It All Started at Starbucks

Chapter 1

I marched through the cold december air with my head down low as I chilling winds throws icy blows at my face. Frost nips at my nose and my fingers feel numb, but neither of these could amount to the permafrost at made up the tiny crushed pieces of my sullen heart.

Turning to the glass doors of the establishment of my newly acquired employment. I pull the metal handle and a burst of warm air hits my face and the smell of fresh coffee grinds fill my nose. I look around at the chocolate colored walls, black marble counters, and silver machines.

"Hello?" I yell.

"In here!" a female voice calls back from behind a door with the words 'employees only' on the front.

When I enter the closed door, I find a 5 foot girl around my age with purple braids and brown-colored skin. She turns to me and smiles. "So you must be the newbie that cheap stake hired to help us."

I laugh. not really knowing what to say."Right--um".

"Nice to meet you, my name is Gail," she says politely as she held out her hand.

I took her hand in mine and gave it a shake. "I'm Claire," I introduce.

"Well you'll find your cubbie to my right and to your left," She waved to a white cubbie with the number 3 drawn in on the black sharpie. On top of it, laid a small white rectangular object with black letters. "On top you will find your official Starbucks name-badge."

I walk over to cubbie number 3 and pick up "my" name-badge, and It has the name Stacey engraved into it. I turn to Gail , "But my name isn't Stacey," I tell her as I give her a strange look.

She points to the badge on her chest. "And mine isn't Taylor. The jerk is too frugal to by new ones. He says 'I'm not going to waste money on worthless pieces of plastic. If you want people to know your real name then use a piece of tape'." she mocks in a deep voice.

I try to surpress my laughter as I put the badge on my shirt.

Suddenly the door slowly swings open and in walks a tall goregous guy (around his 20's) with light brown eyes. Black short hair covers his bronze face. He was so hot my permafrost covered heart begins to melt and I could feel my face grows hot.

Gail stands between us. "Chad this is Claire. Claire this is Chad." she introduces.

"Sup," he says nonchalantly, as he walks over to cubbie number 1.

"Hey," I respond like a total dork. I kick myself silently.

Gina smiles at me slyily, grabs my arm and drags, me out of the room. "He's gay you know and he has a boy friend." she informs me teasingly.

"What? You've got to be kidding me" I whine.

"Nope, he's into men 100%."

"Why is it always the hot ones?" 

She places a hand on my shoulder and shakes her head. "I hear you. I thought about getting with him myself once, until I found out the truth. It's a shame."

She walks behind the counter and waves me over. "Come. Let us soak our sorrows in Cappcinos."

"Yeah," I agree as I follow her.

As we sip down the bitter flavor of savory goodness, Chad walks in. I continue to sip my coffee as he grabs a moist towel and begins to wipe off the counter. He was so fine and yet he bat for the other team. God why? I think to myself. I sigh as I finished the last of my drink.

"2 minutes until we open for business," He imforms us with a bland tone.

"Right," Gail says as she sets her cup to the side just out of sight of any customers and shows me a pamphlet with coffee recipes on top. "You did read this at home right? So you know how to make all of the drinks?"